Types of horse races over the jumps and on the Flat

RACING is split between the jumps (known officially as National Hunt) and the Flat.

But within each discipline are a number of different types of races.

Getty Images – GettyThere are a few things to know about the different types of races[/caption]

Here, Sun Racing breaks it down so you know exactly what you’re betting on.

Types of races

Grade/Group races

They are called Graded races in jumps and Group races on the Flat.

These are the top tier of races which you can think of in footballing terms to make it easy to remember.

Grade/Group 1s are like the Champions League. Grade/Group 2s are like the Premier League. Grade/Group 3s are like the Championship.

Horses generally compete off the same weights in these (with allowances for age and sex) and these races are run for the most money.

The Gold Cup is an example of a Grade 1, while the Derby would be a Group 1.

On the Flat, Group races are often for horses of a certain age. For example, to run in the Derby you must be a three-year-old.

Over the jumps, Graded races are more often split into ‘novice’ or ‘open company’. More on that below.

Grade/Group 1 races are the best known, such as the Champion Hurdle and the King George over jumps, or the Ascot Gold Cup and Arc de Triomphe on the Flat.

Listed races

One step below a Graded/Group race and generally run off level weights other than for the usual allowances.

Handicaps

The majority of races. Horses are given weights to carry according to their rating.

A one point difference in their rating means a 1lb difference in their weight.

A horse’s rating is set by the handicapper and there are lots of races for horses whose ratings fall within a certain band eg 0-95.

Handicaps generally have bigger fields than Graded/Group races and can often be a more attractive betting proposition with bookies offering extra odds and better prices.

Key difference

In jumps, Graded races can be run as handicaps. For example, the Grand National is a Grade 3 handicap race.

National Hunt

Hurdle – races run over the smaller obstacles in open company i.e. horses of generally any age and not a novice.

Novice Hurdle – a hurdle race for horses in their first year in that discipline.

Chase – races run over the larger obstacles in open company.

Novice Chase – a chase race for horses in their first year in that discipline.

Bumper – also known as a National Hunt Flat race and shown as NHF on a racecard. This is a Flat race for jumps horses usually used to give them some experience.

Flat

Classics – Flat racing has five key races throughout the year known as the Classics.

They are…

1000 Guineas – for thre-year-old fillies.

2000 Guineas – for three-year-old colts.

Epsom Derby – for three-year-old colts and fillies.

Epsom Oaks – for three-year-old fillies.

St Leger – for three-year-old colts and fillies.

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